In his best-selling book, American Sniper, Kyle tells how his Springfield Armory TRP may have saved his life during combat.

“In 2004, I brought over a Springfield [Armory] TRP Operator, which used a .45 caliber round. It had a 1911 body style, with custom grips and a rail system that let me add a light and laser combo. Black, it had a bull barrel and was an excellent gun—until it took a frag for me in Fallujah. I was actually able to get it repaired—those Springfields are tough.”

Springfield Amory will produce one thousand TRP Legend Series pistols, each with a unique serial number ranging from CK0001 through CK1000. Separately, the company will laser engrave each pistol identifying its placement in the series.

The Legend Series pistols will come packaged in a custom and also serialized mahogany presentation case. Additionally, a memorial copy of the best-selling book, American Sniper, signed by Chris’ wife, Taya Kyle, will accompany the package. The attractive presentation case also includes a .999 pure silver Chris Kyle limited edition challenge coin and a Springfield Armory certificate of authenticity.

MSRP of the Legend TRP commemorative edition pistol is $2,499, with a portion of the proceeds from each pistol sold benefiting the Chris Kyle Frog Foundation.

The first pistol in the Legend Series was presented to Taya Kyle by Springfield Armory CEO Dennis Reese at a ceremony during the 2016 SHOT Show in Las Vegas. Kyle immediately announced her intention to auction this one of a kind pistol during the 2016 National Rifle Association Annual Meetings & Exhibits, with all proceeds to benefit the Chris Kyle Frog Foundation. Taya Kyle will auction Chris Kyle Legend Series 1911 TRP Pistol No. 1. This auction will take place in Springfield Armory booth #5823 at the NRA annual meetings in Louisville, Ky.

The on-line auction will go live Sunday, May 1 under Springfield Armory’s charity account on Gunbroker.com and will end at 3 p.m. May 21 at the NRA Annual Meetings. Live bidding will start at 2:45 p.m. in the booth. Persons who wish to bid live in the booth for this No. 1 Limited Edition pistol can sign up in the booth at 2 p.m. with a Springfield representative and receive a number and bidding paddle. You can view the live auction here.

Taya Kyle will be present to award the winner (if winner is present) with the pistols along with Springfield Armory President and CEO Dennis Reese. Upon completion of the auction, Springfield Armory will also present a check to Taya Kyle for the full amount of auction proceeds.

The following people will sign the serial No. 1 pistol certificate of authenticity: Taya Kyle of the Chris Kyle Frog Foundation; President and CEO of Springfield Armory Dennis Reese; NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre , and NRA-ILA Executive Director Chris Cox.

Now run by Taya Kyle, the Chris Kyle Frog Foundation supports members and families of those who serve. According to Taya Kyle, “One of the big benefits of doing this with Springfield Armory is that part of the proceeds will go to the Chris Kyle Frog Foundation. The mission of the foundation is to honor God, country and family by serving those who serve. To us, that represents the marriages and family life of our law enforcement, EMS, and military communities.”

“We’re very pleased to support Taya and the Frog Foundation,” explained Springfield Armory CEO Dennis Reese. “When on deployment, Chris Kyle carried a Springfield Armory 1911 TRP Operator pistol, so we felt it appropriate to make this special edition pistol to honor his memory and support the ongoing work of the foundation. Very much like American hero Chris Kyle, this pistol is truly one of a kind.”

The Legend Series pistols feature 5” stainless steel match grade barrels, low-profile three-dot Tritium combat sights, and black and gray G10 grips with an attractive American flag engraving. The slides are forged carbon steel with Black Nitride treatment for durability and corrosion resistance. A National Match full-length guide rod rounds out the 8.6-inch long government model 1911. Each pistol ships with two seven-round stainless steel magazines with slam pads.

At the conclusion of the NRA Annual meetings shipments of the Limited Edition Chris Kyle pistols will arrive at firearms dealers throughout the country.

About the Chris Kyle Frog FoundationThe Chris Kyle Frog Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to serving military and first responders through meaningful interactive experiences that enrich family relationships. Founded and led by Taya Kyle, Chris’ wife, the foundation is entrusted to shepherd a community where the successes and struggles of these families can be shared. Its programs and partners reflect the service excellence that these individuals and families provide in service to their communities and country.